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On The Mills – Sokcho’s Famous Red Crab Katsu Sando 🦀🥪
Whenever we travel along Korea’s East Coast, there’s always the same dilemma: what should we eat if our family isn’t really into raw fish? Sure, Sokcho and Gangneung are known for dakgangjeong (sweet fried chicken), sundubu (tofu dishes), and regional pancakes. But somehow, when you’re by the East Sea, it just feels like you have to eat some kind of seafood—at least squid or crab.
This time, I was on the hunt for something a little different. That’s when I stumbled upon On The Mills, a cozy café in Sokcho, famous for their Hongge Katsu Sando—a sandwich stuffed with crispy fried cutlet and loads of red crab meat.
On The Mills
⏰ Hours: 9:30 AM – 6:50 PM (Break 3–5 PM, closed Sundays)
💸 Prices: Hongge Katsu Sando ₩13,000 / Ham & Cheese Sandwich ₩6,500 / Pumpkin Ricotta Salad ₩8,500
📍 Address: 21 Mancheongil, Sokcho, Gangwon-do
📞 Phone: 0507-1314-9261
🚗 Parking: Available
At first, I wasn’t sure if this was a café or a restaurant. It’s not located by the touristy beach, but tucked inside a local Sokcho neighborhood. Turns out, that’s part of the charm. Locals order delivery from here all the time, and visitors rave about it too. If a place in this kind of location has so many reviews, you know it’s the real deal.
First Impressions
The café has a bright, modern vibe—white walls, wooden tables, and lots of greenery. It feels like something out of a design magazine. Inside, there are not just sandwiches but also handmade bagels, salads, and even poke bowls. Apparently, their bagels are so good that they often sell out by the afternoon.
There’s a self-order kiosk at the entrance, and the staff are super friendly. Fun detail: the owner was even wearing a shirt with “Hongge Katsu Sando” printed on it. Love that dedication!
The Star: Hongge Katsu Sando
This isn’t your average sandwich. The crab cutlet is fried to a golden crisp, then sandwiched between freshly baked bread (or bagels if the bread runs out). The patty is packed with juicy Sokcho red crab meat, seasoned with their special “Ocean Seasoning,” and paired with either wasabi sauce or homemade tartar sauce.
We tried both versions:
Wasabi sauce for a clean, spicy kick
Tartar sauce for a creamy, mild flavor (perfect for kids)
My son devoured two pieces of the tartar one in no time—he’s already a crab lover, but this sandwich made him extra happy.
Beyond Sandwiches
On The Mills also makes artisanal bagels with unique flavors like basil-tomato, blueberry, and “everything” bagels with seeds and grains. We grabbed a basil bagel with cream cheese, and it was amazing—the herbal flavor paired perfectly with the crab katsu.
The “Everything Bagel” was hearty and filling, almost like a meal on its own. I’d never tried one before, but now I think I’ll be craving it often.
A Sokcho Experience
We took our food to-go and enjoyed it with a view of Seoraksan Mountain from our accommodation. Biting into a crab katsu sandwich while looking at Sokcho’s iconic scenery felt like the perfect East Coast experience.
The sandwich itself is surprisingly big—you could get full from just half. The crispy coating wasn’t greasy at all, and the crab meat inside was moist and flavorful. With every bite, it felt like I was tasting the East Sea itself.
Final Thoughts
On The Mills might not be right on the beach, but it’s quickly becoming the spot for something unique in Sokcho. With its creative menu and local story, I can see this crab katsu sando getting more and more popular in the future.
So, if you’re in Sokcho and want to try a local specialty beyond the usual seafood or fried chicken, I highly recommend stopping by On The Mills for their Hongge Katsu Sando. It’s crispy, it’s juicy, and it’s unforgettable. 🦀✨
